Action Alerts

Raleigh residents can vote October 11 on a pedestrian/transit/bicycle focused transportation bond AND an affordable housing bond! WakeUP Wake County and many other local organizations have endorsed the bonds. Remember, if you can't vote on Election Day (Oct. 11), you can vote absentee or early NOW!

$40M Transportation Improvements Bond is multi-modal (i.e. not just about cars). It will:
· Fix potholes and resurface roads
· Build new sidewalks and repair damaged sidewalks
· Extend the Greenway system and add bike lines
· Widen roads, help with corridor planning and streetscape programs
· Improve transit including Moore Square, bus shelters & benches
· Implement improvements on Union Station (leverages $20M + federal funds)

Wake County Commissioners are considering repealing the Recreational Land Dedication Ordinance (RLDO), which requires new developments to set aside land, or pay a fee in-lieu of, for future parks, open space, and recreation.

This is a fair fee that ensures that new development helps pay its fair share of the infrastructure costs of growth.  Providing and maintaining adequate parks and open space is critical as development occurs, particularly given that Wake County is projected to be the fastest growing metro region in the country over the next 10 years.  If we do not set aside places for recreation, we undermine our access to healthy living and a quality environment.  Moreover, we undercut our attractiveness to new residents and businesses.

Budget writers in the NC House of Representatives have unleashed a state budget proposal that threatens sustainable communities across North Carolina.

We need YOUR VOICE to speak out against draconian cuts to education, water and air protection, and public transit included in the proposed NC House Budget. The House will vote next week...

What is SB 183 and why are citizens are against the bill?

Senate Bill 183 intends to relax billboard regulations along NC highways, meaning digital and tri-vision billboards every 1,500 feet.

• The bill would override LOCAL sign regulations and tree cutting ordinances on state/federal roads. And...
• Allows a billboard to be placed every 1,500 feet, on both sides, of any interstate or primary highway
• Provides for billboard owners to ignore local tree maintenance ordinances
• Increases the clear-cut area around a billboard installation by 60%.
• Allows billboards already in violation of local law to be converted to blinking digital signs

More information is available at www.stopsb183.com

North Carolina's share of federally approved high-speed rail funding is in danger! Members of the NC General Assembly have attempted to place the brakes on federally funded passenger rail projects in NC by introducing a bill (H422, sponsored by Rep. Killian and Frye) that will stall high-speed rail by requiring all federal investments in our state to go through an extensive legislative approval process. NC risks losing over $500 million for high speed rail!

Please speakUP TODAY and let Triangle legislators know that high-speed rail is critical to the Triangle communities, for our state's mobility, for future economic investment, and for job growth across our state.

• Sign the Falls Lake petition (hosted by NC Conservation Network).  Click here to sign and make sure YOUR VOICE is heard!  Please foward this to your friends!

Just this month, two Falls Lake beaches were closed due to high levels of bacteria.  But this water isn't just for recreation.  This is the water we drink!  Both Falls Lake and Jordan Lake - Wake County's drinking supply reservoirs - are rated as "impaired."  That means they're polluted from stormwater run-off, and overgrown with potentially toxic algae.

SENATE VOTES TO REPEAL LAND TRANSFER TAX TODAY THIRD READING TOMORROW (THURSDAY)

PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL OPPOSITION RIGHT NOW!!!

This afternoon, Sen. David Hoyle (D-Gaston) ran his bill, SB 1951-REPEAL TRANSFER TAX on the Senate Floor. It passed 2^nd reading by an overwhelming 38/9. The bill is on the Senate calendar for 3^rd reading tomorrow, Thursday, June 19^th. The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. so we don't have much time to call and email to oppose this bill.

We are grateful to the 9 Senators who voted NO: Sens. Albertson, Atwater, Basnight, Dannelly, Dorsett, Graham, Jones, Kinnaird and McKissick.

 Prepared for WakeUP Wake County by Paula A wolf, Paulatics LLC

Sen. David Hoyle (D-Gaston) led the charge in the Finance Committee last Wednesday with his bill, SB 1951-REPEAL TRANSFER TAX. The bill received a nearly-unanimous favorable report. It was placed on the Senate calendar for Thursday, but Sen. Hoyle removed it and re-calendared it for Tuesday, June 17th.

Some pundits are now reporting that the repeal language may be included in the Senate's tax package and be part of their budget, which is due out next week. Just like last year, when the option was included in the budget, Even Members who might be in favor of the local option will feel pressure to vote FOR the budget.